Your 40 has acquired a nice patina. Some find that more attractive than a showroom shine. You could rub it down, make it shine. But I bet you would miss that patina, and it'll take years to re-acquire. Be grateful for what you have...
Refurbishing a legend - drooartz's 1976 FJ40
- Thread starter drooartz
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Your 40 has acquired a nice patina. Some find that more attractive than a showroom shine. You could rub it down, make it shine. But I bet you would miss that patina, and it'll take years to re-acquire. Be grateful for what you have...
I'll give it a try this spring when it's a bit warmer and see what I can do (cheaply) to improve the paint. It's doing the job of protecting the metal for now so that's good enough.
No worries there.Though it'll be doing mostly street duty for the next couple years, it's still a truck. Kind of nice really, since no one really expects it to be shiny. With the MGB I try and make some sort of effort, but with the 40 I haven't even washed the cat prints off the hood yet.
A three stage polish would make it look like new... You'd be surprised.
But, you're right... It's a truck, not a shiny sports car. I've seen all the paint polished off 40s that guys tried to keep shiny and scratch free.
- Thread starter
- #63
I'm more interested in making sure I preserve the paint -- don't really care all that much what it looks like. A little cleaning and polish, then a yearly wax just for preservation. All the little dents and dings stay, and I'll admit that I'm coming around to the groovy 70s stripes.
- Thread starter
- #64
Brakes are working properly now
Had one nice little triumph this morning. After the brake-locking issue I had on Friday I took the truck back to the guy who installed the brake parts. He figured it was the master cylinder pushrod, and got that back into spec. As I was driving the truck on Saturday it just didn't feel like I had much brake power at all.
So a quick search of MUD was in order, and I read all about the need to readjust the rear drums if you move that pushrod. Pulled out the little Toyota bottle jack and my axle stands and got to work. A few missteps (which way does that adjuster move?) and some more MUD reading for clarification (handle in the direction you want the shoes to move) and I got the rear drums properly set up. Took it out for a test spin and I have proper brakes again.
A good way to start the new year!
Had one nice little triumph this morning. After the brake-locking issue I had on Friday I took the truck back to the guy who installed the brake parts. He figured it was the master cylinder pushrod, and got that back into spec. As I was driving the truck on Saturday it just didn't feel like I had much brake power at all.
So a quick search of MUD was in order, and I read all about the need to readjust the rear drums if you move that pushrod. Pulled out the little Toyota bottle jack and my axle stands and got to work. A few missteps (which way does that adjuster move?) and some more MUD reading for clarification (handle in the direction you want the shoes to move) and I got the rear drums properly set up. Took it out for a test spin and I have proper brakes again.
A good way to start the new year!
The stripes are fantastic! I saw you the other day on parleys, in the right lane of course. The right lane isn't a bad place to be. Better than on jackstands in garage.
- Thread starter
- #66
I was going even slower than normal due to the brake issues -- that's saying something for a 40.
No complaints about the slow lane. At least I'm going. How's that pig of yours coming along?
I was going even slower than normal due to the brake issues -- that's saying something for a 40.
No complaints about the slow lane. At least I'm going. How's that pig of yours coming along?
well. It sits and patiently awaits some attention. I work alot and am having a baby any day, she is due tomorrow and we have been expecting him to come any minute.
- Thread starter
- #68
Congratulations! Hope all goes well and that mom and baby are all happy and healthy. Quite the way to start a new year.
I'm more interested in making sure I preserve the paint -- don't really care all that much what it looks like.
A little cleaning and polish, then a yearly wax just for preservation.
All the little dents and dings stay, and I'll admit that I'm coming around to the groovy 70s stripes.
Yep, that was my thoughts exactly - when I asked about preserving the paint!
I really like patina paint, but it does take a small amount of care/effort to ensure you 'preserve' it!
Any other updates to share?
.
- Thread starter
- #70
Got a few small things done this weekend. Got a blanking plate for the radio -- it's a minor thing but nice to cover over the hole. Also put in new spark plugs and adjusted the timing. Was at 14*; I'm pretty sure whoever set it last didn't know that the BB is 7*. Was running fine, but I reset it to 12* for now and checked the points (fine). Still need to mess with the carb, but I've first got to figure out what carb I have. It's an Aisan, and new/rebuilt by the PO, but I don't know which model or year. Will post pics when I get a moment.
still havent run into you yet....It will happen soon.
Certainly if we all get together and POW WOW soon.
Let me know if you need any help as I am still waiting for more snow before I can run a snowcat in the wasatch.
Certainly if we all get together and POW WOW soon.
Let me know if you need any help as I am still waiting for more snow before I can run a snowcat in the wasatch.
- Thread starter
- #72
I will take you up on that -- still working on getting things tuned properly for the altitude and another eye on it would be helpful.
I'll be at the barn in Heber tomorrow....thursday.
Also maybe this weekend too.
PM me your phone #
Also maybe this weekend too.
PM me your phone #
- Thread starter
- #74
PM sent...
Congrats! I love victories like this!
- Thread starter
- #76
Well this wasn't what I expected to happen
I'm sad to say that I've had to put the 40 up for sale:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-trailers-sale-wanted/556285-ut-1976-fj40.html
I hate to do this, especially after just a couple months of ownership, but life has conspired against my plans. We've had a couple unexpectedly large expenses recently and we just learned that we will be seeing some cutbacks at work (my wife and I work both for a local school district). We're in decent shape overall, but I've had to get ruthless with the extras to make sure we stay well above water -- my old BMW motorcycle is on the block as well.
Not at all what I had planned, but sometimes that's the way things go.
I'm sad to say that I've had to put the 40 up for sale:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-trailers-sale-wanted/556285-ut-1976-fj40.html
I hate to do this, especially after just a couple months of ownership, but life has conspired against my plans. We've had a couple unexpectedly large expenses recently and we just learned that we will be seeing some cutbacks at work (my wife and I work both for a local school district). We're in decent shape overall, but I've had to get ruthless with the extras to make sure we stay well above water -- my old BMW motorcycle is on the block as well.
Not at all what I had planned, but sometimes that's the way things go.
- Thread starter
- #77
Was a tough call to have to make, but them's the breaks sometimes. Times are tough all around and we were effected less than many for the last few years -- I guess it's our turn.
R75 was a tough call too, but I like my MGB too much, and I can only keep one of the three.
R75 was a tough call too, but I like my MGB too much, and I can only keep one of the three.
So you DON'T have to sell the FJ40!
Sorry to hear about your situation. That's a nice '40 so you might as well start kicking yourself now.
- Thread starter
- #79
So you DON'T have to sell the FJ40!
Sorry to hear about your situation. That's a nice '40 so you might as well start kicking yourself now.
My butt's already sore from the kicks let me tell you.
Was a really tough call as it's a super clean truck and I'm just getting to know the old girl and having some fun with it. But when it comes right down to it the MG has a special place in my heart and I can't part with it (I've wanted a right hand drive car since I was a little kid).
My plan almost worked, but too many things piled on all at once. It'll all work out I'm sure but I've got to shrink some overhead.
